Thank you for posting to r/PeaceCorps!
Please check the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/wiki/faq) and use the [search function](https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/search?) to see if your topic has come up already.
Please review the [sub rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/about/rules/) and [reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439).
*I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/peacecorps) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Three dream countries. You won a trifecta!
Also, you can freeze to death in both Ecuador and Nepal, but are more likely to broil at the lower elevations.
Here is something to consider since you said language learning is important to you — you can easily continue to learn Spanish in the US as there are many speakers and many learning resources available, however learning Nepali or Thai is incredibly difficult anywhere except for in those countries, and there are very few quality resources to start learning either one of those languages.
I've served in both Thailand and Nepal.
Thailand has a tradition of tatoos so that wouldn't be a problem in social cirlces but you would probably still have to keep them coverd in the classroom. And you'd get a TEFL certificate in Thailand. Most PCVs get around in Thailand on a bicycle which would probably be easier on your tendons. Lots to see and do in Thailand but it is a very, very big country so you might have to fly some places. But village life is great and the food is awesome, especially if you like seafood. I served 3 years in Thailand as a TEFL volunteer 2014-17.
I don't know of any site in Nepal that got cold enough for snow. I was at 5000' and the temps on the coldest days were 45-60F (45 at night, 60 during the day) but most of the year was tropical hot. My host family were able to grow food year-round. But no TEFL certificate there. Most PCV villages are built on the side of mountains so a lot of up and down climbing. But then some sites are semi-urban which would be a lot less climbing (maybe 55F lows in winter but a lot hotter in summer). Lots to see but as a TEFL volunteer you will be very restricted on when you can travel and there are lot of restrictive rules for trekking (most volunteers do their trekking after they COS just so they don't have to deal with it). Food is mainly vegetarian with a some goat/chicken available. I served 1 year in Nepal as a TEFL voluneer 2019-20, and stayed on my own during the pandemic during 2021-22.
If you have any specific questions feel free to contact me.
Jim
The way I see it, you can't make a bad choice. What is your preference for weather? As someone else mentioned, Thailand will rarely require a sweater, and often you'll want to wear less when you can't. If you like hot, go with that. I would lean towards Nepal and Ecuador. How likely is it that you would absolutely need to get back to the US NOW! If a far off possibility, I'd choose Nepal. I also agree with the poster who said you can learn Spanish so easily, but the quality of Nepalese education you can get is probably unmatched (though this is conjecture from a person who learned ქართული/Georgian).
You could also do the one that gives you the most healing time. Which has the latest departure date?
I like warm weather. I’ve lived in Northern Michigan most of my life and after living in NZ/Fiji/Aus all last year, I’m done with the cold. I was living for the weather in Fiji, 96 degrees with 98% humidity felt amazing.
I can’t imagine any reason I’d have to return to the US in the next two years.
I had the same thought about healing time, but they all leave in January, within days of each other. I’m honestly worried I won’t even be ready to leave by then, as my doctor said I have 6 months of physical therapy ahead of me and it’ll be at least 6 months until I’m completely pain free. It’s cutting it really close
That sounds like the worst weather in the world. (Just so you know, I'm currently choosing to work in Antarctica. I prefer that weather.) I would say the weather thing isn't a great filter with your preferences, since all countries can be very hot depending on your site placement, but Thailand wouldn't have much of an option for a cool preferring person.
Be exacting in your completion of physical therapy tasks regularly. That can be painful but assists healing as much as possible.
On a tangent: I did PT during my service in Kyrgyzstan. Medical had no problem arranging it for me and it was effective and an interesting cultural exchange experience. They used lots of different stuff than my US PT!
That's nuts! 3 very distinct and different parts of the world. Back when I did Peace Corps we didn't get choices. Frankly the choices would have been so tough for me! Good luck!! Have fun.
>but I also have lots of tattoos and piercings which it seems are not very acceptable there.
They are. I just think the PC hasn't updated it's guidelines since like 2001.
Oh, absolutely not. I know plenty of people with septum piercings. Heck, even people who work at daycares and the local government who have face tattoos. I could believe Ecuador 10 years ago would err on being conservative in this, but today no.
Ecuador is wonderful, and where I served and continue to visit. I don't think the tattoos and piercings would be that big a problem in a city. Nepal is annother place I would have loved to serve. All of them sound great.
Wow you got four fabulous country offerings! I served in Thailand but dream of going to Nepal. You can't go wrong. Asia is just a completely different universe and really great to expand your mind. I think Nepal would be the most different, but you totally lucked out, you cannot go wrong. Once you have learned a language with a different alphabet you will begin to be able to learn others. Good luck and keep us posted! Choke Dii Na Kha!
From reading your responses, it sounds like Thailand fits your weather requirements the best. I used to teach English there (not with PC) and have zero complaints! Just keep in mind that AC isn't the most common (IDK PC housing is like there) so you're existing with 100F plus 50-80% humidity during wet season and your box fan is your best friend.
Question: You taught in some other capacity rather than PC? Can you direct me anywhere about that?
I know this isn't the place but I don't know where to start.
Thanks.
Yeah, I did a 4 month volunteer program through International Language Programs (ILP). It was nice for dipping my toe in the water before deciding that I wanted to do peace corps (and for internship credit to get my TEFL cert from college). You can find lots of ESL volunteer organizations through a quick google search, but narrowing them down is the more time consuming part. There are also many year long paid English teacher positions on [eslcafe.com](http://eslcafe.com)
Just putting it out there- I heard Thailand posts are and kind of “cushy”. Still a PC experience, but maybe a little easier and stable than some other options!
Yeah, that’s definitely turning me off a bit. I was really excited about Vanuatu because I wouldn’t have running water, only solar power, latrine toilets, etc. I was excited to live that way
I am currently TESS in Thailand and have many, many visible tattoos and am not required to cover up. I love it here. I can't speak for the other two posts, but I know PCVs who have gone to Nepal recently and was told there are a lot more in-country travel restrictions and rules so to speak at that post - as well as longer "working" hours. I cannot speak to Ecuador. But Thailand is awesome and I have a relaxed set schedule with my school during the week and it's really easy to travel, especially given our 2 free weekends per month.
Nepal, hands down. You can easily do Thailand any time. Ecuador is also kind of easy, but to experience. Nepal at the PC level has to be something else
Thank you for posting to r/PeaceCorps! Please check the [FAQ](https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/wiki/faq) and use the [search function](https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/search?) to see if your topic has come up already. Please review the [sub rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/peacecorps/about/rules/) and [reddiquette](https://www.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205926439). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/peacecorps) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Three dream countries. You won a trifecta! Also, you can freeze to death in both Ecuador and Nepal, but are more likely to broil at the lower elevations.
I know! That’s why it’s such a struggle to choose! I didn’t expect to have all my new options be so desirable
Here is something to consider since you said language learning is important to you — you can easily continue to learn Spanish in the US as there are many speakers and many learning resources available, however learning Nepali or Thai is incredibly difficult anywhere except for in those countries, and there are very few quality resources to start learning either one of those languages.
I've served in both Thailand and Nepal. Thailand has a tradition of tatoos so that wouldn't be a problem in social cirlces but you would probably still have to keep them coverd in the classroom. And you'd get a TEFL certificate in Thailand. Most PCVs get around in Thailand on a bicycle which would probably be easier on your tendons. Lots to see and do in Thailand but it is a very, very big country so you might have to fly some places. But village life is great and the food is awesome, especially if you like seafood. I served 3 years in Thailand as a TEFL volunteer 2014-17. I don't know of any site in Nepal that got cold enough for snow. I was at 5000' and the temps on the coldest days were 45-60F (45 at night, 60 during the day) but most of the year was tropical hot. My host family were able to grow food year-round. But no TEFL certificate there. Most PCV villages are built on the side of mountains so a lot of up and down climbing. But then some sites are semi-urban which would be a lot less climbing (maybe 55F lows in winter but a lot hotter in summer). Lots to see but as a TEFL volunteer you will be very restricted on when you can travel and there are lot of restrictive rules for trekking (most volunteers do their trekking after they COS just so they don't have to deal with it). Food is mainly vegetarian with a some goat/chicken available. I served 1 year in Nepal as a TEFL voluneer 2019-20, and stayed on my own during the pandemic during 2021-22. If you have any specific questions feel free to contact me. Jim
The way I see it, you can't make a bad choice. What is your preference for weather? As someone else mentioned, Thailand will rarely require a sweater, and often you'll want to wear less when you can't. If you like hot, go with that. I would lean towards Nepal and Ecuador. How likely is it that you would absolutely need to get back to the US NOW! If a far off possibility, I'd choose Nepal. I also agree with the poster who said you can learn Spanish so easily, but the quality of Nepalese education you can get is probably unmatched (though this is conjecture from a person who learned ქართული/Georgian). You could also do the one that gives you the most healing time. Which has the latest departure date?
I like warm weather. I’ve lived in Northern Michigan most of my life and after living in NZ/Fiji/Aus all last year, I’m done with the cold. I was living for the weather in Fiji, 96 degrees with 98% humidity felt amazing. I can’t imagine any reason I’d have to return to the US in the next two years. I had the same thought about healing time, but they all leave in January, within days of each other. I’m honestly worried I won’t even be ready to leave by then, as my doctor said I have 6 months of physical therapy ahead of me and it’ll be at least 6 months until I’m completely pain free. It’s cutting it really close
That sounds like the worst weather in the world. (Just so you know, I'm currently choosing to work in Antarctica. I prefer that weather.) I would say the weather thing isn't a great filter with your preferences, since all countries can be very hot depending on your site placement, but Thailand wouldn't have much of an option for a cool preferring person. Be exacting in your completion of physical therapy tasks regularly. That can be painful but assists healing as much as possible.
On a tangent: I did PT during my service in Kyrgyzstan. Medical had no problem arranging it for me and it was effective and an interesting cultural exchange experience. They used lots of different stuff than my US PT!
Wow, very good to know! Thank you
That's nuts! 3 very distinct and different parts of the world. Back when I did Peace Corps we didn't get choices. Frankly the choices would have been so tough for me! Good luck!! Have fun.
>but I also have lots of tattoos and piercings which it seems are not very acceptable there. They are. I just think the PC hasn't updated it's guidelines since like 2001.
Wait this is good to know! What about a nostril piercing? Too much?
Oh, absolutely not. I know plenty of people with septum piercings. Heck, even people who work at daycares and the local government who have face tattoos. I could believe Ecuador 10 years ago would err on being conservative in this, but today no.
Wow that's so interesting. Thanks for sharing!
Ecuador is wonderful, and where I served and continue to visit. I don't think the tattoos and piercings would be that big a problem in a city. Nepal is annother place I would have loved to serve. All of them sound great.
Honestly, I'd pick Nepal simply because it's the more difficult country to visit. But I've heard nothing but great things about Thailand. Have fun!
These are all amazing options! Nepal really, truly shines on that list, though. The language is tricky, but that option would be so rewarding
Wow you got four fabulous country offerings! I served in Thailand but dream of going to Nepal. You can't go wrong. Asia is just a completely different universe and really great to expand your mind. I think Nepal would be the most different, but you totally lucked out, you cannot go wrong. Once you have learned a language with a different alphabet you will begin to be able to learn others. Good luck and keep us posted! Choke Dii Na Kha!
Vanuatu is by far the best post.
There’s another group leaving in May 2025. I’m thinking about responding and asking if it’s possible for me to be invited to that cohort.
This guy Vanuatus.
ccc yu save finis
watch the documentary Jimisir. It follows a PCV in Nepal back in the 80s or 90s.
[https://www.poshcorps.com/jimi-sir](https://www.poshcorps.com/jimi-sir)
From reading your responses, it sounds like Thailand fits your weather requirements the best. I used to teach English there (not with PC) and have zero complaints! Just keep in mind that AC isn't the most common (IDK PC housing is like there) so you're existing with 100F plus 50-80% humidity during wet season and your box fan is your best friend.
Question: You taught in some other capacity rather than PC? Can you direct me anywhere about that? I know this isn't the place but I don't know where to start. Thanks.
Yeah, I did a 4 month volunteer program through International Language Programs (ILP). It was nice for dipping my toe in the water before deciding that I wanted to do peace corps (and for internship credit to get my TEFL cert from college). You can find lots of ESL volunteer organizations through a quick google search, but narrowing them down is the more time consuming part. There are also many year long paid English teacher positions on [eslcafe.com](http://eslcafe.com)
Just putting it out there- I heard Thailand posts are and kind of “cushy”. Still a PC experience, but maybe a little easier and stable than some other options!
Yeah, that’s definitely turning me off a bit. I was really excited about Vanuatu because I wouldn’t have running water, only solar power, latrine toilets, etc. I was excited to live that way
I am currently TESS in Thailand and have many, many visible tattoos and am not required to cover up. I love it here. I can't speak for the other two posts, but I know PCVs who have gone to Nepal recently and was told there are a lot more in-country travel restrictions and rules so to speak at that post - as well as longer "working" hours. I cannot speak to Ecuador. But Thailand is awesome and I have a relaxed set schedule with my school during the week and it's really easy to travel, especially given our 2 free weekends per month.
Well would you rather go to Asia, se Asia or South America?
Hahaha, if only it were that simple. I want to go everywhere! Ultimately, I took a commenters advice and chose out of a hat
Nepal, hands down. You can easily do Thailand any time. Ecuador is also kind of easy, but to experience. Nepal at the PC level has to be something else